Water Pipe With Interchangeable Percolator Inserts

ABSTRACT

A water pipe can include a bottom plate with upwardly extending first and second side walls, a back wall and a removable front wall. When assembled, the bottom plate and walls form a reservoir for containing a volume of liquid. The side and back walls have channels formed in their interior surfaces for installation of porous inserts effecting filtration of vapor drawn through the inserts. The distal end of a vapor introducing tube extends through a side wall into the reservoir, while a proximal end of the vapor introducing tube extends into the exterior environment. A top plate seals an interior volume formed by the bottom plate and the walls extending upwardly therefrom. The top plate has an upwardly extending mouthpiece. Upon introduction of a source of inhalable vapor at the proximal end of the vapor introducing tube, a negative pressure is drawn from the mouthpiece to induce the vapor to travel through the reservoir and through the porous inserts. Removal of the front wall of the water pipe exposes the interior surfaces of the first side wall, the second side wall and the back wall, whereby deposits on the interior surfaces can be readily accessed and removed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority benefits from U.S. application Ser. No. 62/544,042 filed on Aug. 11, 2017 entitled, “Water Pipe With Interchangeable Percolator Inserts”. The '042 provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to water pipes and, in particular, to water pipes having inserts that effect filtration and treatment of smoke drawn through the pipe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking herbaceous material dates back thousands of years. From the ancient Mayans to Native Americans, there have been pipes and countless other devices for inhaling the smoke from the burning herbaceous material. The hookah first emerged in India hundreds of years ago and has been improved upon throughout its history. A hookah is a water pipe originally adapted to smoke opium and hashish, but has since undergone several transformations and is most commonly used more recently to smoke tobacco and cannabis.

A water pipe, of which a hookah a type, is a single or multi-stemmed device for smoking herbaceous materials, such as flavored tobacco, in which the smoke is passed through a water reservoir before inhalation. The user holds a hose with a mouthpiece that constitutes the proximal end of the system. The user places the mouthpiece to his or her mouth and draws on the mouthpiece creating a pressure differential that pulls smoke through the system. The herbaceous material is packed into a bowl with holes formed in the bottom, through which smoke from the burning herbaceous material flows. The smoke passes through the water pipe's stem, into the reservoir, and bubbles through the water in the reservoir, out a port in the reservoir, through a conduit, and ultimately into the smoker's mouth and lungs.

As with any burning herbaceous material, the smoke emerges from the bowl at high temperatures. Smoking implements such as cigars and cigarettes are dried and rolled in leaves or paper with no provisions for cooling the smoke as it enters the user's mouth and lungs, thus producing discomfort to many smokers. The water in the reservoir of a water pipe, on the other hand, serves a primary purpose to cool the smoke and a secondary purpose to filter and purify the smoke.

The water in the reservoir of a water pipe cools the smoke that passes through it while limiting the amount of ash and soot that passes into the user's mouth and lungs.

Existing water pipe designs incorporate in-line mechanisms for filtering the smoke bubbled through the water in the reservoir. In Saliman US2014/0230832A1, an inline filter provides filtration and additional smoke cooling prior to the smoke exiting the system. In Patel US2011/0186064A1, a multistage filtration mechanism employs a conical mouthpiece with external threading by which a first tubular filter housing is connected via internal threading on its top end and is connected via internal threading on its bottom end to external threading on a second tubular filter housing. Filter support discs supporting filter media are crimped into place when the components are screwed into each other, thereby preventing smoke from bypassing the filter medium when inhaling. In Mahoney U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,993, a filter adapter has a number of cylindrical tubes with liquid for washing and cooling smoke. The adapter employs a replaceable filter cartridge containing a filter media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Shortcomings of existing water pipes are overcome by a water pipe comprising:

(a) a substantially rectangular bottom plate having a first side wall extending upwardly from a side perimeter of the bottom plate and a second side wall extending upwardly from an opposite side perimeter of the bottom plate, each of the side walls having formed in its interior surface at least one side wall channel;

(b) a removable front wall extending upwardly from the front perimeter of the bottom plate;

(c) a back wall extending upwardly from the back perimeter of the bottom plate, wherein the front wall, back wall, first side wall and second side wall, when assembled, form a reservoir for containing a volume of liquid, the back wall having formed in its interior surface at least one back wall channel;

(d) a vapor introducing tube extending through one of the first and second side walls, the vapor introducing tube having a distal end extending into the reservoir and a proximal end extending into the environment exterior to the water pipe;

(e) a substantially rectangular top plate for sealing an interior volume formed by the bottom plate, front wall, back wall, and first and second side walls, the top plate having an opening formed therein, the opening having a mouthpiece extending upwardly therefrom; and

(f) at least one porous insert configured for installation in the first and second side wall channels and the back wall channel, the porous insert effecting filtration of vapor drawn through the porous insert.

In operation, upon introduction of an inhalable vapor at the proximal end of the vapor introducing tube, drawing a negative pressure from the mouthpiece induces the vapor to travel through the reservoir and through the at least one porous insert.

In some embodiments, the at least one porous insert comprises a pair of clamshell members, which, when assembled, are capable of containing a quantity of liquid and effecting filtration of the vapor drawn through the assembled clamshell members. The at least one porous insert can be rendered porous by openings arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

In some embodiments, the at least one porous insert comprises a layer of filtration material.

In at least some embodiments, each of the side walls has formed in its interior surface a pair of side wall channels and the back wall has formed in its interior surface a pair of back wall channels, such that the at least one porous insert comprises a pair of porous inserts insertable in the side wall and back wall channels.

In some embodiments of the water pipe, a sealing gasket is interposed between the front wall and the side perimeters of the first and second side walls.

In at least some embodiments, the water pipe further comprises a sealing gasket interposed between the top plate and the top perimeters of the front wall, back wall and first and second side walls.

In some embodiments, the side walls have fittings disposed therein for receiving fasteners extending through openings in the front wall, such that the fasteners are capable of attaching the front wall to the perimeters of the first and second side walls to form a seal between the front wall and the first and second side walls.

In at least some embodiments, removal of the front wall exposes the interior surfaces of the first side wall, the second side wall and the back wall, such that deposits on the interior surfaces can be readily accessed and removed. As used herein, the term “deposits” is meant to describe the residual material that accumulates on the interior surfaces of a water pipe, for example, particulates and oils, that is removable, either by hand or by a dishwasher.

In some embodiments, in which the back wall is removeable, removal of the front wall and the back wall exposes the interior surfaces of the first side wall and the second side wall, such that deposits on the interior surfaces can be readily accessed and removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a water pipe having interchangeable percolator inserts installed in its interior.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a water pipe having interchangeable percolator inserts.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 2, which has filter inserts installed in place of percolator inserts.

FIG. 3A is a rear elevation view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3D is a bottom view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3E is a front view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1, taken from the opposite side of the view depicted in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3F is a back view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view, with the front panel removed, showing the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1, in which porous inserts are installed instead of percolator inserts.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view, with the side panel removed, showing the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1, in which percolator inserts are installed instead of porous inserts.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembled percolator insert for installation in the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is an exploded, perspective, cross-sectional view of the percolator insert, taken in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the assembled percolator insert, taken in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6C is a bottom perspective view of the percolator insert, taken in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7A is a top view of one embodiment of an assembled percolator insert for installation in the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 7A, of the percolator insert of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows B-B in FIG. 7A, of the percolator insert of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a side elevation view of the percolator insert of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a front elevation view of the percolator insert of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7F is side elevation view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 7A, taken from the opposite side of the view depicted in FIG. 7D.

FIG. 7G is a bottom view of the percolator insert depicted in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembled percolator insert for installation in the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the percolator insert depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the top portion of the percolator insert depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the assembled percolator insert depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 9A, of the percolator insert of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a side cross-sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows B-B in FIG. 9A, of the percolator insert of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9D is a side elevation view of the percolator insert of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9E is a front elevation view of the percolator insert of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9F is side elevation view of the water pipe depicted in FIG. 9A, taken from the opposite side of the view depicted in FIG. 9D.

FIG. 9G is a bottom view of the percolator insert depicted in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a filter insert for installation in the water pipe depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10B is a side elevation view of the filter insert of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the filter insert of FIG. 10A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT(S)

Embodiments of the present water pipe with interchangeable percolator inserts will be initially described with reference to FIG. 1 and its corresponding exploded perspective depiction in FIG. 1A, and also with reference to FIG. 2 and its corresponding exploded perspective depictions in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Embodiments of the present water pipe will also be described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3F, which are elevation views showing the front, back and side walls, as well as the top and bottom plates interconnecting the front, back and side walls.

In some embodiments, water pipe 10 can have interchangeable percolator inserts installed in its interior. Water pipe 10 can include bottom plate 11 and first side wall 13 extending upwardly from a side perimeter of bottom plate 11. In some embodiments, bottom plate 11 is substantially rectangular. Second side wall 14 extends upwardly from an opposite side perimeter of bottom plate 11. In some embodiments, each of side walls 13 and 14 can have formed in its interior surface a pair of side wall channels. Specifically, side wall 13 can have formed in its interior surface channels 28 a and 28 b. Side wall 14 can have formed in its interior surface channels 38 a and 38 b.

In some embodiments, a removable front wall 12 extends upwardly from the front perimeter of bottom plate 11. A back wall 15 extends upwardly from the back perimeter of bottom plate 11 such that front wall 12, back wall 15, first side wall 14 and second side wall 13, when assembled, form a reservoir for containing a volume of liquid (not shown in the drawing figures). Back wall 15 also has formed in its interior surface a pair of back wall channels 39 a and 39 b (shown in FIG. 2B).

In some embodiments, vapor introducing tube 20 extends through second side wall 14. Vapor introducing tube 20 can have a distal end extending into the reservoir and a proximal end extending into the environment exterior to the water pipe. In at least some embodiments, vapor introducing tube 20 can be configured to accommodate the placement of a bowl (not shown) containing burning herbaceous material, from which the vapor to be inhaled by the smoker is drawn. As shown in FIG. 1A, vapor introducing tube 20 is insertable into the interior volume of water pipe 10 through fitted opening 23 formed in second side wall 14.

In some embodiments, top plate 16 seals an interior volume formed by bottom plate 11, front wall 12, back wall 15, first side wall 13 and second side wall 14. In at least some embodiments, top plate 16 is substantially rectangular. Top plate 16 can include an opening with upwardly extending mouthpiece 18.

In some embodiments, percolator inserts 30 a and 30 b can be configured for installation in first side wall channels 28 a and 28 b, second side wall channels 38 a and 38 b, and back wall channels 39 a and 39 b. Each porous insert effects further cooling and filtration of vapor drawn through the porous insert.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 3A, vacuum release opening 22 is formed in second side wall 14. Vacuum release opening 22, when covered, is configured to seal the interior volume from the exterior environment. When uncovered, vacuum release opening 22 (sometimes referred to as a “carb”) allows fluid communication between the interior volume and the exterior environment.

In operation, upon introduction of a source inhalable vapor at the proximal end of vapor introducing tube 20, drawing a negative pressure from mouthpiece 18 induces the vapor to travel through the reservoir and through percolator inserts 30 a and/or 30 b, or in the case of the embodiments depicted in FIG. 2B, through porous inserts 40 a and/or 40 b.

The above-referenced drawing figures also depict other structural features of water pipe 10. In some embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 2A, gasket 36 can form a seal between the interior-facing surface of top plate 16 and the mating top perimeters of front wall 12, back wall 15, first side wall 13 and second side wall 14. In some or the same embodiments, gasket 38 can form a seal between the interior-facing surface of front wall 12 and the mating side perimeters of back wall 15, first side wall 13, second side wall 14, top plate 16 and bottom plate 11.

An embodiment of an attachment mechanism that can be used to assemble water pipe 10 is shown in the above-referenced drawings. FIG. 1 shows securing screws 24 a, 24 b and 26. In some embodiments, top front securing screws, one of which is shown as securing screw 24 a, can secure the top of front wall 12 to the side perimeters of the other walls. Securing screw 24 a can extend through opening 12 a formed in front wall 12 and into a threaded receptacle 34 a formed in first side wall 13. Bottom front securing screws, one of which is shown as securing screw 24 b, secures the bottom of front wall 12 to the side perimeters of the other walls. Securing screw 24 b extends through opening 12 b formed in front wall 12 and into a threaded receptacle 34 b formed in first side wall 13. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIG. 2A, a securing mechanism can include securing screw 24 b. In some or the same embodiments, the securing mechanism can include washer 24 c and threaded fitting 24 d that resides in receptacle 34 b.

As shown in FIG. 2A, top plate screw 26 can secure top plate 16 to the top perimeters of front wall 12, back wall 15, first side wall 13 and second side wall 14. Securing screw 26 can extend through an opening (not shown) formed in top plate 16 and into a threaded receptacle 15 a formed in back wall 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the securing mechanism for securing screw 26 can include washer 26 a and threaded fitting 26 b that resides in receptacle 15 a.

Turning next to FIG. 4, a front perspective view, with the front panel removed, shows water pipe 10, in which porous inserts 40 a, 40 b are installed instead of percolator inserts 30 a, 30 b, which are shown to the side of water pipe 10.

FIG. 5, a front perspective view, with the front panel removed, shows water pipe 10, in which percolator inserts 30 a and 30 b are installed instead of porous inserts 40 a and 40 b.

Turning next to FIGS. 6, 6A-6C and FIGS. 7A-7G, assembled percolator insert 30 can be configured for installation in water pipe 10. Insert 30 can include a top clamshell portion 42 with openings, one of which is shown as opening 42 a, formed therein. FIG. 6A is an exploded, perspective, cross-sectional view of percolator insert 30, taken in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6A, top clamshell portion 42 can include a plurality of downwardly extending hexagonal structures 42 b that fit within corresponding receptacles 44 a formed in bottom clamshell portion 44. Bottom clamshell portion 44 can have openings, one of which is shown as opening 44 b, formed therein. When assembled, liquid (such as, for example, flavored water) can be loaded and retained within the interstices formed when hexagonal structures 42 b are fitted within receptacles 44 a. The configuration of percolator insert 30 induces the drawing of vapor from the upstream reservoir through insert 30, where it contacts the liquid retained in insert 30.

Turning next to FIGS. 8, 8A, 8B and 9A-9G, another embodiment of an assembled insert 50 for installation in water pipe 10 is shown. Insert 50 can include a top portion 52 with openings, one of which is shown as opening 52 a, formed therein. Bottom portion 54 also has openings, one of which is shown as opening 54 b, formed therein. As with assembled percolator insert 30, when assembled, liquid (such as, for example, flavored water) can be loaded and retained within insert 50. The configuration of insert 50 induces the drawing of vapor from the upstream reservoir through insert 50, where it contacts the liquid retained in insert 50.

Turning finally to FIGS. 10A-10C, a porous insert 60 is configured for installation in water pipe 10, as shown in FIG. 4.

As mentioned previously, the securing mechanisms of water pipe 10 provide the ability to disassemble the walls and other related components of water pipe 10 such that the walls and other components can be easily washed, either by hand or in a dishwasher.

While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water pipe comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular bottom plate having a first side wall extending upwardly from a side perimeter of said bottom plate and a second side wall extending upwardly from an opposite side perimeter of said bottom plate, wherein said first side wall includes at least one first side wall channel formed in an interior surface of said first side wall and said second side wall includes at least one second side wall channel formed in an interior surface of said second side wall; (b) a removable front wall extending upwardly from a front perimeter of said bottom plate; (c) a back wall extending upwardly from a back perimeter of said bottom plate, wherein said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall and said second side wall, when assembled, form a reservoir for containing a volume of liquid, and wherein said back wall includes at least one back wall channel formed in an interior surface of said back wall; (d) a vapor introducing tube extending through one of said first side wall and said second side wall, said vapor introducing tube having a distal end extending into said reservoir and a proximal end extending into the environment exterior to said water pipe; (e) a substantially rectangular top plate for sealing an interior volume formed by said bottom plate, said front wall, said back wall, said first side wall and said second side wall, said top plate having an opening formed therein, wherein said opening has a mouthpiece extending upwardly therefrom; and (f) at least one porous insert configured for installation in said at least one first side wall channel, said at least one second side wall channel, and said at least one back wall channel, wherein said at least one porous insert effects filtration of a vapor drawn through said at least one porous insert; wherein upon introduction of an inhalable vapor at said proximal end of said vapor introducing tube, drawing a negative pressure from said mouthpiece induces said inhalable vapor to travel through said reservoir and through said at least one porous insert.
 2. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein said at least one porous insert comprises a pair of clamshell members that, when assembled, said pair of clamshell members are capable of containing a quantity of liquid and effecting filtration of said inhalable vapor drawn through assembled said pair of clamshell members.
 3. The water pipe of claim 2, wherein said at least one porous insert is rendered porous by a plurality of openings arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
 4. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein said at least one porous insert comprises a layer of filtration material.
 5. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein said at least one first side wall channel of said first side wall comprises a first pair of side wall channels, said at least one second side wall channel comprises a second pair of side wall channels and said at least one back wall channel of said back wall comprises a pair of back wall channels, and wherein said at least one porous insert comprises a pair of porous inserts insertable in said first pair of side wall channels, said second pair of side wall channels and said pair of back wall channels.
 6. The water pipe of claim 1, further comprising a sealing gasket interposed between said front wall and the side perimeters of said first side wall and said second side wall.
 7. The water pipe of claim 1, further comprising a sealing gasket interposed between said top plate and the top perimeters of said front wall, said back wall and said first side wall and said second side wall.
 8. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall have a plurality of fittings disposed therein for receiving a plurality of fasteners extending through a plurality of openings in said front wall, whereby said plurality of fasteners are capable of attaching said front wall to the perimeters of said first side wall and said second side wall to form a seal between said front wall, said first side wall and said second side wall.
 9. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein removal of said front wall exposes an interior surface of said first side wall, an interior surface of said second side wall and an interior surface of said back wall, whereby a plurality of deposits on said interior surfaces can be accessed and removed.
 10. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein said back wall is removeable.
 11. The water pipe of claim 10, wherein removal of said front wall and said back wall exposes an interior surface of said first side wall and an interior surface of said second side wall, whereby a plurality of deposits on said interior surfaces can be readily accessed and removed. 